Eagletarian Blog

The Eagles' locker room reacted to the release of Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Babin Wednesday the way you would expect -- younger players seemed shocked, older ones said they've seen such things before.

DE Trent Cole, Babin's hunting buddy, said Babin was in Cole's garage, getting ready to head home, when the call came from Eagles coach Andy Reid.

"He said, 'yeah, they just released me.' I thought he was playing at first ... he wasn't," Cole said. "It was shocking to him ... He's got a family to take care of."

"We're going to move on ... I know Jason's going to find a great home, he's going to be successful. He's going to make somebody happy."

DE Brandon Graham said he lined up in Babin's spot Wednesday. Babin was claimed on waivers by Jacksonville. An NFL source said Buffalo and Washington also placed claims.

Graham and rookie DE Vinny Curry, part of the stated "youth movement" reason for Babin's release, embraced the idea of getting more snaps but said they were sorry to see Babin go.

Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans said the business side of football never surprises him. Reporters pressed players on what message the Eagles might be trying to send underachieving players; not many wanted to engage on that topic

"This goes on everywhere, this ain't nothing new; this happens on every team," Cole said. "Now you know how real this game is, and what this game's all about."

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Quarterback Michael Vick, who did not practice, told your Eagletarian that he was about to take another imPACT test, a hurdle he must clear to return from concussion. Vick did not pass the test he took Monday.

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DT Fletcher Cox (tailbone bruise) said he will not practice today, but hopes to practice by Friday and thinks he can play Sunday night at Dallas. C Dallas Reynolds (ankle) was not scheduled to practice; LG Evan Mathis took Reynolds' snaps and said he might be playing center Sunday, with Danny Watkins at left guard.

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Backup safety David Sims acknowledged he is disappointed he hasn't gotten a chance to win a starting job, given the Eagles' struggles at the position.